Behind the business: Citrus-Lime

In a new series that aims to connect the cycle trade to the people behind some of the industry's biggest brands and companies, BikeBiz sits down with the team from integrated retail solutions expert Citrus-Lime – to talk about bikes, amazing cycling experiences and what it's like to work for the company.

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?Business strategy and guiding the software development team towards solutions that make the lives of our clients easier and more profitable is what it's all about for me.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?Right now I'm thinking about The Golfy at Innerleithen last weekend; an amazing place to ride. However, I did three weeks in Morzine a couple of year ago, which was awesome.

Where do you like to ride?The Lake District, in the high fells.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?The constant change and challenges presented by the IT industry and its ability to completely reinvent itself every few years. I'm addicted to progress and change so it was the right industry for me to work in. I've managed to blend that with having a real impact on the cycle and outdoor industry; I’m passionate about independent retailers and I like to think I help them create professional, lean businesses, so they reap the rewards the hard work of running a small business deserves.

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?We're incredibly enthusiastic about the industry and understand how it's changing. We can help retailers get better control over their businesses, allowing them to make more profit and pay good staff properly, so they can make a living in the cycle sector. There is so much potential in the cycle sector and simple processes with our platform can turn a surviving shop into a thriving shop. It's all about sell through and achieved margin on the retail front and productivity in the workshop. Both are super simple with our products.

Name: David GauleTitle: Business development manager

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?With the launch of our fresh new point of sale solution, ‘Citrus-Lime Cloud POS’, among other exciting developments, I’m letting people know what it’s all about. If you’re considering Citrus-Lime, there’s a good chance your first interaction with the brand came from me.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?For a friend’s birthday we all bought vintage/retro bikes on a £50 budget then raced them around Macclesfield Forest. My Raleigh Royal Roadster was less than ideal!

Where do you like to ride?I can normally be found with a most unsavoury bunch causing a ruckus in the Peak District. We’ll be the group crawling up hills, spending ages faffing at the top, then crashing on the descents.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?I get to blend what I love into my work and that work involves great brands such as Hope (their new B2B site). Having a head office in the Lake District is a bonus too!

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?I’m part of the 25% at Citrus-Lime who have worked in the bike trade. We understand the oddities of the trade – like special ordering anything a customer wants or “I was ‘just riding along’ and my frame snapped” situations. This understanding shapes the product and services we provide.

Name: Grant HadwinTitle: Head of sales & marketing

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?‘Sales’ sounds a bit cold; I like to think of myself as more of a ‘project consultant’. I listen to what an independent bike dealer needs and how they want to do business. Then I’ll give an honest answer on whether our services can achieve that for them and perhaps make some suggestions based on the successes of existing clients.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?Riding at Glentress is always the best experience for me. It’s super flowy and there’s something for every skill level. A weekend there with a bit of Innerleithen thrown is spot-on.

Where do you like to ride?I live on the edge of the South Lakes, so I love to get out around there, whether it be on the trails or the road.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?I love working in our close-knit team of highly motivated people. For a small company we’ve got an impressively diverse skill set across the team.

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?We have a genuine interest in taking independent bike shops to the next level and a proven track record for it.

Name: Neil WrightTitle: Project manager

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?Once Grant has worked out what you need and how you want to operate, I’ll be your single point of contact to keep things simple and guide you through the roll-out process. I liaise with all the right people in Citrus-Lime to make your vision a reality.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?Recently, I’ve been knocked off my road bike by a pedestrian and I’ve snapped 2 carbon mountain bike frames… so my memory of the best experience is somewhat eclipsed by those at the moment. It hasn’t deterred me though – I’m still riding.

Where do you like to ride?Be it road or mountain, the South Lakes is my playground.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?It sounds cheesy but I love watching our clients grow. To know that I’ve been part of that gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction.

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?Our enthusiasm for the cycle industry. I think I speak for all of us when I say we genuinely enjoy being instrumental in helping people succeed with a business that revolves around their passion for riding.

Name: Lewis SherrattTitle: Account manager

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?Aside from travelling the country drinking coffee at different bike shops and talking about all things bike, all day… I make sure we’re helping our clients achieve their vision. Being part of the 25% at Citrus-Lime who have worked in the bike trade means you and I will instantly be on the same page.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?Spending a week riding the 7 Stanes routes with my brother is my best memory so far.

Where do you like to ride?Llandegla is my local trail centre, so that’s my usual haunt.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?I can pretty much refer you to my role above. What’s not to love about all that?!

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?I’ve used a lot of different EPOS and ecommerce systems in bike shops and I honestly believe Citrus-Lime Cloud POS is the best suited to cycle retail, with unique features that regularly make me say “If only I’d had that when I worked at… [insert one of many bike shops]”.

Name: Lizzie McKayTitle: Account manager

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?Essentially, I get to spend my days chatting to and visiting our different clients, understanding their needs, looking after them and making good stuff happen for them.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?Riding the World Cup DH course at Fort William.

Where do you like to ride?At the moment, I’m loving Whinlatter. Cyclewise, one of our clients, have a store there and I’ve done a mountain bike skills course with them.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?I love that our clients aren’t ‘corporate suits’. They’re humble people who are passionate about making their independent business a success.

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?Retail is changing rapidly and we’re focused on giving bike shops the tools to keep up, so everyone has an opportunity to retain (or increase) their slice of the pie.

Name: James SteelTitle: Director of operations

What is your role at Citrus-Lime?I work hard to ensure that Citrus-Lime's people, systems and processes are all empowered with the ability to keep the commitments we make to our customers every day.

What’s the best cycling experience you’ve ever had?I've ridden all over the UK and in to Europe but my best cycling experience isn't a specific ride, as such. For me, the best experience in cycling is about two or three days after a big effort has been put in (the kind you regret starting in the first place) and you start to remember all the good things about it... instead of how sore you felt. Any ride with friends is a winner, too.

Where do you like to ride?For MTB, at home in the Lake District is a pretty hard place to beat, but Coed Llandegla always puts a smile on my face. For Road, I really like the circuit I've created for myself around Rivington in Lancashire. Sheep House Lane is a short, sharp brute.

What do you think is the best thing about working for Citrus-Lime?The speed of the business is often stunning. It's so interesting. Having a vision for how we can help our customers grow is really motivational.

Why should people work with Citrus-Lime?We're all working towards a shared vision. That creates a strong sense of community among the team that breeds passion. As a director (and something of a relative Old Hand now), seeing my younger colleagues develop their professional career is genuinely rewarding.